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#1
09-29-2004, 11:17 AM
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School Uniforms
This is so typical of Dallas Public Schools. An issue that was so front and center in the 90s is now being discussed at DISD. I happen to think there are many positives to this proposal. However, many places around the country have adopted the notion of mandatory uniforms and then dropped it. Dallas MN.
DISD to consider making uniforms mandatory at all schools 12:12 PM CDT on Wednesday, September 29, 2004 By TAWNELL D. HOBBS / The Dallas Morning News DISD students won't have to fret over what to wear to class if some trustees have their way. The school board plans to begin discussions next month on whether to make uniforms mandatory for all students in the Dallas Independent School District. Some believe uniforms will help deter problems, especially gang violence. Tell Us What are pros and cons of uniforms at public schools? "This is an initiative that I really feel and believe can transform the DISD," said trustee Ron Price, who proposed the idea. "I'm trying to save our children." Trustee Nancy Bingham agreed: "I think it will be a good safety initiative." Board President Lois Parrott said trustees plan to gather input from parents, teachers and students before making a decision. She said she already has had some positive feedback. "The students are becoming more interested," Dr. Parrott said. DISD, with about 159,000 students, had 21 schools with mandatory uniform policies and 85 others voluntarily wearing uniforms in 2002, officials said. Interim Superintendent Larry Groppel said he didn't know of any other large school district that requires uniforms at all campuses. He said trustees probably wouldn't vote on the measure for several months. DISD spokesman Donald Claxton said that if the board approves the change, it probably would be next fall, at the earliest, before the policy is implemented. "We're still in the stages of discussing what perimeters would be included," he said. 
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#2
09-29-2004, 11:21 AM
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Pros and cons.
SOURCE Arguments about Uniforms Many well intended adults have justified the use of school uniforms for many different reasons. While they make valid points I often disagree with them. Below are the 3 points I disagree with the most or you can skip down to what I beleive is a summary of valid pro and con arguments about uniforms. Theme 1: Uniforms will stop other students by being judged on how they look / Uniforms will make it harder for cliques to form. Response: No matter what you dress students in, they will always find a way to pass judgement upon their peers. If it's not based upon the style of clothes worn there are many other superficial ways to judge people and form cliques. Including: * hair style * hair colour * height * weight * accessories (ie necklaces, watches and etc.) * odor (type of purfume/colone and etc.) * the way one walks * smoking habits This list is by no means exhaustive, but you get the idea. Yes cliques can be a problem in schools. Yes judging people upon thier apearance can be bad in schools. However making everyone wear the same type of clothes is not going to make the problem magically disapear. Instead of hiding from the problem why not tackle it head on. Teach your kids to accept the odd kid out. Teach your kids not to judge based upon superficial criteria. Kids can be taught to be open to all sorts of people. However, by making everyone wear the same types of clothes, I believe you are just sending the message that since you can't accept each other when you are different, we're going to make you all the same. How will your child ever cope in the adult world when they actually do encounter someone who is different then themselves. Theme 2: Uniforms will save families money / Students won't pressure their parents to buy clothes some families can't afford. Response: Firstly uniforms have not saved my family money. If one avoids buying name brand clothing, clothes can be relatively affordable. When my mom bought my little brother his uniforms. She bought him 2 separate outfits. 2 golf shirts, 2 pairs of pants, 1 sweatshirt and 1 vest came to around $250.00. She could have easily bought a full weeks worth of street clothing (7 shirts, 3 pairs of pants) for slightly less money. Mind you, we aren't in the habit of buying new wardrobes every time a new school year starts, this is just a comparison. It should also be noted that when you buy uniforms, regular street clothing also needs to be bought for weekends and during the summer. Some might say, "Wait a second. My kid's T-shirt costs $40 or more." It is not that difficult to find long lasting clothing in the 10-20 dollar range. The only catch it may not have your child's favourite company logo that is endorsed by a multi-millionaire. So what if your kid says that all the cool kids have Nike shirts? This is an ideal time to teach your child there is more to life than a cool logo. This would also be a good time to teach your child not to choose their friends based upon what logos their peers wear. If all the parents didn't buy their kids all logo clothing or taught their kids not to put emphasis on the logos, this wouldn't even been an issue. Theme 3: Uniforms will make it easier to identify those who are not from the school and therefore increase security/safety. Response: This is what I consider to be the only valid point. I guess sometimes students from other schools do go to other schools to cause trouble. I guess if they're in a t-shirt and baggy clothes they will stick out like a sore thumb. So from that respect the school will be protected from unruly outsiders. However, I somehow doubt uniforms will stop circle beatings in the pit and students sneaking in contraband weapons. I am also sure it would not be that hard to borrow uniforms from friends who may go to the uniform school. If there is a will, there is a way, especially with students who have lots of time conjure up ways to create mischief. Pro-Uniforms Anti uniforms * Save money on clothing * Uniforms will cut down on teasing and cliques * schools will be safe from outsiders * Parents will no longer have to buy designer labels * Uniforms will separate the public schools from the catholic/private schools. * Uniforms ultimately cost more * Uniforms do not teach children how to deal with people who are different then themselves. * Cliques will still form. * It is impossible to prevent all outside intrusion * Children will still ask for designer labels for outside of school clothing. (Uniforms will not make this issue go away.) * If you need uniforms to distinguish between public and catholic/private schools it's time to re-evaluate where your child is going. * Uniforms teach children that in order to get along everyone must conform to the same standards. Take me back to the School Uniforms Home Page
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#3
09-29-2004, 7:54 PM
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uniform policy
I just do not see how everyone looking the same would curb gang violence. How? Like I said today on David Golds show, gang members should be placed in jail-PEROID!
I did not say this on the air. I think if the question is about and because of school violence then clothing is not the option and not even a little help at all. here is the solution-seperate! yes, separate! Bad kids to school with bars in them. good kids actually get to study and learn something. The gang members make the school a prison like atmosphere. Another way to curb violence in schools is to make laws tougher in society. Criminal mischief like vandalizing vehicles, break ins should be felonies and then enforce the laws and they will not be able to attend schools to TERRORIZE! The law abiding masses. Also, gang members should be placed in as domestic terrorists. Uniforms? LOL.
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#4
10-13-2004, 11:23 AM
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Dallas MN
SOURCE DISD: Uniforms would deter gangs 08:54 AM CDT on Wednesday, October 13, 2004 By TAWNELL D. HOBBS / The Dallas Morning News Students could be forbidden to wear certain colors under a plan to make uniforms mandatory in all Dallas schools. Dallas Independent School District trustees began discussions Tuesday on implementing a standardized dress code, including what colors could be worn. Some DISD trustees think tougher dress standards will help deter problems, including gangs. It was determined that middle school and high school students should not wear red or navy blue because of their affiliation with two rival gangs, the Bloods and Crips. Elementary students would be allowed to wear the colors. Trustee Ron Price said he thinks standardized dress will help combat gang violence. "I have a Crip and Blood problem," said Mr. Price, whose district encompasses South Dallas and parts of downtown. "The simple solution is khaki and white for everybody." With board approval, the district would implement uniforms in the 2005-06 school year. Jim Scales, DISD's deputy superintendent for administrative services, said administrators have met twice to discuss the issue and will meet again this week. He said the board could receive a proposed policy as early as next month. Dr. Scales said all students would wear a uniform unless a student's parent or guardian objects. Current policy allows parents to object by writing a statement indicating a religious or philosophical conflict. The board determines whether the objection is valid.
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#5
10-13-2004, 12:00 PM
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"Unofficial" school uniforms on a voluntary basis would be OK. (Such as a jersey with the school mascot on it with coordinating pants that could be made available through the student store.) However, I don't like the idea of mandatory school uniforms. It's like collective punishment on the entire student body for the bad behaviour of a few. I also don't like the idea of a single clothing manufacturer to be given market shares like this without being subjected to the free market. As for forbidding certain colors, I say let the students decide! They usually have a better understanding of these matters than the school authorities. As for gang colors, wouldn't school uniforms actually help troublemakers fade into the crowd? What would happen if school uniforms became the attire of choice for those committing crimes? Would that serve to help identify the criminals, or would it just give the school represented by that uniform a bad name? Would this lead to further "collective punishment," while lessening the personal responsibility of the individuals who commit the bad behaviour?
 Quote:
__________________
Show me a sane man and I will cure him for you. ~Carl Jung
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#6
10-13-2004, 10:45 PM
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You want to know why uniforms don't work? Look at Japan. Every kid attending school, right through college, has to wear a uniform. And the teacher's are complaining about the kids just the same as ours are.
It has nothing to do with the clothing. It has everything to do with the attitude of the kids. The kids are losing respect for their elders, and the teachers are noticing. Out here, the kids lost that respect years ago. And you're forgetting one key component in how kids can customize their uniforms: not all kids grow equally. If a girl in school fills out that uniform to the point of where she can't hide it no matter how hard she tries, then she becomes a magnet to every boy in class, and there's nothing you can do about that. The way to stop that situation is to avoid uniforms. The girls that did that when I went to school wore baggy tops to lessen the effect. In the short term, uniforms may look like a good idea, but in the long term, it doesn't work, and all you do is anger the kids, which, if you're not careful, can add to the damage already done.
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#7
10-19-2004, 8:26 PM
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Dallas Teacher here who teaches at a school with uniforms. I have no problem with students being told what to wear. They have no rights until the age of 18. That being said, it is a stupid idea. It is another set of rules that we teachers have to enforce that we won't be backed up on by administration. They already send the uniform dress code violators back to class without punishment. As most administrators are touchy-feely affective liberal types, it will be just another rule that they won't enforce or back us teachers up on.
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#8
01-31-2005, 10:47 AM
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Dallas MN
SOURCE Plano considers school uniforms Trustees to discuss having voluntary program at 3 campuses 12:22 AM CST on Saturday, January 29, 2005 By KIM BREEN / The Dallas Morning News The morning what-to-wear battles between parents and children might soon be over at three Plano school district campuses. School trustees will discuss Tuesday whether to pursue a pilot school uniform program at three elementary schools next year. Forman Elementary in the district's east cluster, Aldridge Elementary in the central cluster and Haun Elementary in the west have been recommended as pilot sites. The program at those schools, if approved, would be voluntary. The plan would require a board vote, but that vote would not happen until a later meeting, said Karla Oliver, executive director of government and community relations. Trustees first talked about the possibility of a standardized dress pilot program in November. The purpose is to further a sense of community in schools, Ms. Oliver said. The pilot would also help the district assess whether standardized dress boosts student achievement. Parents who decide to participate would not have to buy clothing from specific vendors, Ms. Oliver said. Students would wear standardized dress – such as khaki pants and a white top – rather than specific uniforms common at private schools. Schools probably would determine details such as colors. At Forman Elementary, enough parents have been interested in uniforms that the school tried unsuccessfully to implement a policy on their own through campus votes. It now takes an affirmative vote from 80 percent of parents – not just those who show up to vote. "We're very much about building a school community," principal Ann Irvine said. "In these times, that's difficult." She said she hopes the uniforms could contribute to a quicker assimilation for the many new students who move to Forman during the school year. "Do I think the kids would be really excited about this? I don't think so," she said. "But from what I hear, I know their parents would be." Making the program optional will suit the parents who don't want to participate, Ms. Irvine said. But participation usually increases with time, according to what she has heard from principals in other districts. America Trejo, whose four children attend Forman, said she's excited about the prospect. She said the school's boundaries draw children from high- and low-income families. Uniforms would serve as an equalizer. "I just see how they feel bad because they're not wearing the right clothes," she said of poorer students. She said her fifth-grade son wouldn't be too happy about uniforms – but he won't be in the school next year anyway. Her daughter, Diana, who is 9 years old, said she likes the idea of wearing cute skirts she associates with school uniforms. Diana said some of her friends might not elect to wear a uniform when school starts, but she might help them change their minds. "I could inspire them to wear them," she said.
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#11
02-02-2005, 12:28 AM
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Quote:
__________________
Show me a sane man and I will cure him for you. ~Carl Jung
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#12
02-02-2005, 10:05 AM
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Sugar,
On this and many other issues, the evidence is clearly on my side, meaning that you are WRONG. Compare the Social Behaivor and Academic Standards in a Parochial School where uniforms are compulsory with that of a Public School and talk to me after that. Is it strictly uniforms. Nooooooo, but it has a lot to do with it. A little STRUCTURE goes a LONG WAY for a child.
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#13
02-02-2005, 8:37 PM
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Quote:
Uniforms will only work if the administyration, from the Super on down, enforce it. And then I return my point just made; why not enforce DISCIPLINE, not a uniform policy. Clothes are not the problem or the answer; discipline is.
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#14
02-02-2005, 8:44 PM
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With the way kids dress, today, uniforms would serve as a stabilizer. There is a reason why uniforms are worn in the military and many businesses. Schools can benefit, as well.
__________________
http://www.nabadot.com
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#15
02-02-2005, 8:57 PM
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If it's enforced. It takes an act of congress to get a student removed from a classroom in the public schools, even if he threatens a teacher. Oh, yeah I can have him removed from my classroom, but he just gets moved to another classroom. Now, if a public school is reluctant to enforce serious discipline problems, do you think the school will enforce a uniform policy? I teach at a public school with "uniforms".
You need the root of discipline planted first. The left won't allow that to happen effectively in most public schools. I thimk a charter school should be started in Dallas, a military charter school.
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#16
02-03-2005, 7:10 AM
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Orin,
Americans are too busy to RAISE children. The ECONOMY demands their attention. When children arrive in school the teacher must educate them and raise them at the same time. The job is too much for one person. Uniforms would help to introduce STUCTURE and DISCIPLINE.
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Hybrid Mode
